temporal lobe

American  

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

1. the lateral lobe of each cerebral hemisphere, in front of the occipital lobe.

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temporal lobe British  

noun

1. the laterally protruding portion of each cerebral hemisphere, situated below the parietal lobe and associated with sound perception and interpretation: it is thought to be the centre for memory recall

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temporal lobe Scientific  

1. The lobe of each cerebral hemisphere lying to the side and rear of the frontal lobe. The temporal lobe controls hearing and some aspects of language perception, emotion, and memory.

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Etymology

Origin of temporal lobe

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Dr. Flaherty provocatively suggests that Van Gogh suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy and that his condition may have played an important role in his achievements.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

These concept cells have to date only been found in the medial temporal lobe, where the amygdala is located and where many structures related to cognition and emotion are found.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2025

But it also reached deeper, into the medial temporal lobe and prefrontal cortex, brain regions crucial for memory.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2024

The new study suggests that, in a healthy brain, the temporal lobe is directly or indirectly inhibiting activity in the dorsomedial occipital lobe, which supports visual association.

From Scientific American • May 26, 2023

Abscess due to Middle Ear Disease.—The most common cause of abscess in the brain is chronic middle ear disease, and the majority of cerebral abscesses are therefore situated in the temporal lobe.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander